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City Report · CA

Brea

Pop. 47,469·180th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,813/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.0%
vs US Median
+$883
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brea · $2,813
More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,930/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,440
1 BR
$2,540
2 BR
$3,010
3 BR
$4,070
4 BR+
$4,870
Research median
$3,010/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: May 30, 2026

Annual cost
$33,756/yr
At $2,813/mo median
Market timing
Rents rising
Act sooner rather than later.
Rent Reality Score
65/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Brea's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,813/mo
Expected by trend
$3,036/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Brea's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Demographics

Who lives here

Brea, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 52.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
47,469
Median income
$131,129
Median age
39.7
Renters
40.3%
Age distribution
22.7%
21.5%
27.7%
17.2%
Under 1822.7%
18–3421.5%
35–5427.7%
55–6410.9%
65+17.2%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
41%
29.9%
28.2%
White41%
Black1.8%
Hispanic29.9%
Asian28.2%
Education (25+)
13.9%
26.7%
52.2%
No HS diploma7.2%
HS diploma13.9%
Some college26.7%
Bachelor's+52.2%
Housing tenure
59.7%
40.3%
Owner59.7%
Renter40.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Brea, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,124 → $2,813
up 32.4%
Income
$108,721 → $131,129
up 20.6%
Population
46,912 → 47,469
up 1.2%
Renter share
37.5% → 40.3%
+2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
49.5% → 52.2%
+2.7 pts
Median age
40.3 → 39.7
-0.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Brea, CA has climbed by $689 per month, settling near $2,813 after starting the period at $2,124. Household income in the area moved from $108,721 to $131,129 across the same window, up 20.6% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 11.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 46,912 to 47,469 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 40.3% of households rent today, against 37.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 49.5% to 52.2%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Brea, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Brea rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brea on your salary?

At $2,813/mo, how Brea rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brea rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Brea. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brea

About renting in Brea, CA

Last updated: May 30, 2026

The median rent in Brea is $2,813/mo as of May 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,440/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,540/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,070/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($131,129/yr), Brea ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brea an affordable city for renters?

Brea is considered affordable for renters. At $2,813/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($131,129/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brea falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Brea?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $113,000/year (~$54/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,813/mo in Brea. The local median household income is $131,129/yr, meaning the typical Brea household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brea?

Rent in Brea has increased 3.4% over the past year as of May 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Brea rent compare to other cities in California?

Brea is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #180 out of 379 tracked cities at $2,813/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brea?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brea ($2,813/mo): La Habra ($2,645/mo), Fullerton ($2,762/mo), Placentia ($2,788/mo).

What percentage of Brea residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.3% of Brea households are renters, while 59.7% are owner-occupied. Brea leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brea rent compare to the national average?

Brea's median rent of $2,813/mo is $883 (46%) above the US national median of $1,930/mo. Within California, it ranks #180 out of 379 tracked cities.
Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,813/mo, rent takes ~26% of Brea's median household income ($131,129/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brea 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Brea affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Brea, CA

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